Overview
If you like to be detail-oriented, a problem solver, have good customer service skills and complete precise work, you'll enjoy a career as an appliance service technician. You'll be a part of a dynamic industry that reflects the rapid technological revolution.
You will install, service and repair household and commercial appliances. In general, you will:
- diagnose concerns by interpreting the customer’s or user’s observations
- access manufacturers' service manuals and bulletins and use specialized tools and testing devices to locate the issue(s)
- maintain appliances by disassembling, cleaning internal parts, replacing faulty or worn parts, reassembling and testing
- communicate with customers or on-site managers for the purpose of estimates, and the use and care of their appliances
- prepare work orders, complete reports for billing, and maintain records for parts inventories and future service calls.
You'll be able to complete an apprenticeship as an appliance service technician (3-periods of apprenticeship education) or a commercial appliance service technician (2-periods of apprenticeship education).
Appliance service technicians work in a diverse industry that offers a large spectrum of work environments including homes, the hospitality industry, medical facilities, jails, grocery stores, bakeries, airports, remote camps and railway companies.
Commercial appliance service technicians also work with a large spectrum of environments including the hospitality industry, medical facilities, jails, grocery stores, bakeries, airports, remote camps and railway companies.
This is a compulsory trade - to work in this trade you need to hold a recognized trade certificate or be a registered apprentice.
Is this the right fit for me?
Appliance service technicians are independent and self-motivated individuals who enjoy meeting and helping people. The work is most rewarding for those who like problem-solving and working with their hands.
To be successful in their trade, appliance service technicians must have:
- good mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity
- the ability to be detail-oriented
- strength, stamina and the ability to lift items in excess of 25 kilograms
- a willingness to keep up-to-date with changing technology
- good problem-solving skills
- the ability to interact with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Career opportunities
Start your career by finding an employer who is willing to indenture you as an apprentice. Appliance service technicians work for appliance dealers, independent appliance service companies, department stores, appliance manufacturers' service departments and gas and electric utility companies.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may also become a factory service representative employed by manufacturers to supervise authorized repair depots in a particular region. Experienced appliance service technicians employed in larger organizations may become specialists or advance to supervisory positions such as foreman or service manager.
With experience and knowledge, some journeypersons go on to run a small business, appliance service technicians may start their own independent appliance service companies or appliance sales and service outlets – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
Tuition and fees per year*
- Period 1: $1,263
- Period 2: $1,263
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2022/23 academic year will open May 10, 2022.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Aug. 29, 2022 | Oct. 21, 2022 |
| 1 | Jan. 3, 2023 | Feb. 24, 2023 |
| 2 | Feb. 27, 2023 | April 21, 2023 |
It’s safety first for COVID-19 in the appliance repair trade
Increased use of appliances during pandemic has Appliance Service Technician grad answering many service calls.
Admission requirements
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance Requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 20-2
- Math 20-3
- Science 10
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 30 OR Chemistry 30 OR Science 30
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Training
Commercial Appliance Service Technician
The term of apprenticeship for a commercial appliance service technician is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training each year and 8 weeks of apprenticeship education in each of the first two years.
Appliance Service Technician
The term of apprenticeship for an appliance service technician is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training each year and 8 weeks of apprenticeship education each year.
apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam Exam and the Interprovincial Qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2022/23
Tuition and fees*
| Period | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 2 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 3 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
SAIT fees
Campus recreation fee: $49
Lab and material fee: $82
Student support fee: $50
Student technology fee: $50
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal Protective Equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.